New President of the Central Switzerland Region

“Back to the roots” could actually be the headline for my story. After about 25 years in commercial aviation—both gliding and powered flight—I returned to model aviation a good five years ago and joined the Kulm Model Flying Club. A single model airplane from my youth—a Speed-Astir by WIK—had survived its long slumber, but last year it fell victim to a mid-air collision on the Grosse Scheidegg. In the meantime, my fleet of model aircraft has steadily grown and now includes just about everything—from powered planes and gliders to helicopters. The leap to a turbine jet is probably just a matter of time.

When I’m not at the model airfield or in my workshop, I work with my four horses, which I keep on my small ranch. My full-time job is also closely tied to aviation—I work as an air traffic controller at Skyguide.

No sooner had I returned to the model airfields than I found myself heading the Central Swiss Model Flying Association. Although I had initially been interested in the vacant position on the Glider Committee (FAKO), the outgoing regional chairman, René Müller, convinced me to take on the top leadership role. After some initial skepticism about whether I was up to the task, my reservations faded when I got to know the many dedicated and knowledgeable colleagues on both the regional and central boards.

As the successor to the outgoing Regional Chairman René Müller, I am taking on a heavy legacy, as he has put the RMV3 on a stable footing. Nevertheless, we cannot rest on our laurels; we want to—and must—actively tackle the challenges ahead and work together to find solutions so that we can continue to enjoy our shared hobby in the future.

The Regional Board is always ready to listen to members and looks forward to active communication with the clubs. I’ll also be attending the occasional event during the flying season or simply stopping by a model airfield to maintain personal contact with our grassroots members. Take advantage of the opportunities offered by the association’s collective expertise. Together, we can build the acceptance our hobby needs.

With that in mind, I wish everyone a wonderful and, above all, accident-free 2012 flying season. ■

Daniel Ziegenhagen